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TEMPLE'S LARRY KAISER, MD, FACS, NAMED A "CEO OF THE YEAR"

Larry Kaiser, MD, FACS, President and CEO of the Temple University Health System, has been named a “CEO of the Year” at the 2012 Healthcare Innovation Awards, sponsored by The Philadelphia Business Journal. Dr. Kaiser was among three area healthcare CEOs who accepted their awards at a breakfast ceremony on Thursday, November 8, at the Sheraton Hotel in Philadelphia, PA.

“I am honored to accept this distinguished leadership award – which is truly a testament to the unwavering commitment and collective efforts of the physicians and staff of Temple University Health System who continue to work together to transform our enterprise into one of the region’s premier academic medical centers,” said Dr. Kaiser, who is also Dean of Temple University School of Medicine and Senior Executive Vice President of Health Sciences for Temple University.

An internationally renowned academic executive, thoracic surgeon, researcher and educator, Dr. Kaiser joined Temple in April of 2011 to lead its healthcare enterprise – which includes the Health System and School of Medicine.

Understanding that a “business as usual” approach was not sustainable, Dr. Kaiser’s bold strategic plan included service expansion and the recruitment of top physicians to enhance quality of care, clinical capabilities and operational efficiency. He implemented a clinical-effectiveness initiative to reduce variability, eliminate avoidable complications, and decrease resource use. He oversaw the creation of a new Robotics Program and the acquisition of Fox Chase Cancer Center, one of only 41 NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. By 2011, the Health System achieved a break-even operating budget and anticipates posting a positive margin this year.

Dr. Kaiser’s vision for Temple Health also includes the promotion of wellness and the treatment of disease through a patient-centered, multi-disciplinary team approach and the strengthening of research opportunities that advance clinical care. Under his leadership, Temple has pioneered many population-health initiatives, including the training of community health workers, one of the newest and fastest-growing categories of healthcare professionals.